About two months ago, Waco defensive back Will Hines kind of liked the idea of leaving home and playing elsewhere.

But as time has passed, home doesn't seem to be such a bad idea after all. The 2012 prospect has remained squarely on Baylor's radar. The relationship has grown to the point to where Hines said Monday that the Bears are his leader, passing Oklahoma State.

"I like them a lot,'' Hines said. "They have shown me a lot of interest. I like being around [Art] Briles. He's really easy to get to know and feel comfortable around.''

Not too long after Baylor's April 2 controlled scrimmage, Hines and his father Tim returned to the campus on their own and visited with Briles and other members of the coaching staff. The talks were described as productive. That's probably what helped the Bears move ahead at this stage of this competition.

Within the last two weeks, Hines has picked up offers from Texas Tech and Notre Dame. Cal-Berkeley has shown some interest. Hines said the Golden Bears likely will offer him once the coaching staff has received his transcripts. He is considering taking a trip out West this summer.

Regardless, Hines said he would like to make a decision this summer.

Of course, this is a good year for Division I recruits in the greater Waco area. The Bears are also pursuing Waco La Vega offensive lineman Michael Starts and Waco Midway safety Shakiel Randolph. They have offered each.

Waco began spring football workouts on May 2. However, Hines will not be participating in them. He is one week removed from having surgery performed on his right meniscus. It was an outpatient procedure. However, he said the prospective schools don't appear all that concerned about it.

"I think I tore it when I was running and stepped weird in a pot hole or something,'' he said. "I did it a couple of months ago. I'm just going through flexibility work and rehab. The doctors think I'll be released at the end of [May].''

Hines continues to go through the NCAA clearinghouse process. He said he took the ACT on April 9. He has not received those scores as of yet.